A Taste of Magic

Chapter 69: 69th Course - A Nice Conversation

Lavender chewed her lip worriedly. She had purposely come early to the platform, thankfully Leena was more than happy to come earlier than they usually did and the twins only put up a smidge of fuss, in the hopes of seeing Harry first for a quick conversation. However, she had roamed up and down the train twice now and did not see him in any of the compartments from the outside like she did before.

"He's probably just a little later this time," Leena said soothingly. "You should pick a compartment and he'll come to you. I'm sure he will."

Before Lavender could reply, a happy shout caught her attention and she saw the Patils approaching them. She waved back and hugged the twins gratefully. She hesitated when she saw Durga but the older woman smiled and hugged her easily enough. "I had my morning coffee," Durga chuckled as they embraced. "I have just enough energy to deal with you."

Durga then held her at arm's length, giving her a shrewd look. "Then again, you seem a bit subdued. Are you feeling well?"

Lavender smiled weakly. "I'm okay. Just have a lot on my mind. Sorry."

Durga patted her shoulders warmly. "Don't be sorry for thinking. You should be sorry if you don't think."

"I do think," Parvati said crossly.

"You always think everything I say revolves around you, such a vain thing," Durga said with a wide smile.

Padma snickered at Parvati's look. "Haven't seen Harry in a compartment yet?"

Lavender shook her head. "No, he usually gets here before us."

Padma smiled sympathetically. "I'm sure he's just running behind, which for him, is still on time."

"Harry!" Marigold and Clover shouted excitedly, waving.

Harry walked to them with Sirius and the Tonkses with him. Harry smiled brightly at all of them. "Hey everyone!"

"Oh my goodness, you do have a cane," Parvati said, staring at the cane that Harry had strapped to the side of his bag. The wood was mahogany, almost black in color but shining with polish. A silver tip was at the base and the head of it was a silver snowy owl sitting on a collar of polished iron.

"Yeah, it's great!" Harry smiled. "I'll show you more on the train. Actually that's kind of why we're later than usual."

"The cane made you late?" Marigold asked.

"No, we saw off Grandfather and Grandmother at the Ministry first," Harry said. "They had an early Portkey and we went there before coming here."

"Aww, that's nice that they came to see you for the holidays," Padma said.

"Yeah it really was," Harry smiled. He gave Lavender a slightly awkward smile. "Hi Lavender."

"Hi Harry," she said brightly and also slightly awkwardly. She felt much better when Harry hugged her and she squeezed as hard as she could, injecting as much effort into the gesture as possible, making him cough and gasp a little. They missed the look that passed between Andromeda and Leena, a slight knowing smile.

"Right, I'm freezing out here so lets get you kiddos on the train," Dora said, teeth chattering and shivering. She looked at Harry. "Some of us don't have hugs to keep us warm." She smiled when Harry hugged her, looking smug and warm. She and Ted and Sirius helped take their trunks onto the train and into a compartment they chose before they gathered back on the platform briefly for last goodbyes.